Senator Robin Padilla has addressed the resurfacing of a 2022 social media post by former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Atty. Rowena Guanzon, where she publicly said she would not vote for him during the senatorial race, adding, “Maawa kayo sa Pilipinas.”
In his latest Facebook post on Tuesday, December 9, Padilla said he has never taken any criticism against him personally and even expressed respect for Guanzon despite her past remarks.
“Hindi ko po kailanman pinepersonal ang mga banat sa akin ng kahit na sino dahil opinyon nila ‘yun—‘wag lang tungkol sa Islam ang bastusin,” he wrote.
He added that he respects Guanzon deeply, saying, “İginagalang at ipagtatanggol ko po si Atty. Rowena Guanzon dahil pinakamamahal po niya ang Pilipinas.”
Padilla also emphasized that political alignment has never been a basis for his support for colleagues: “Hindi ko rin po sukatan ang pagiging kakulay kita sa pulitika para suportahan. May mga kasama nga po ako sa Senado na hindi ko kakulay pero suportado ko sila basta para sa Pilipinas at sa taongbayan.”
The senator recently made headlines after defending Guanzon in connection with a viral video showing her raising her voice and cursing during an altercation inside a Makati mall on December 6, reportedly after a male mall-goer scolded her for coughing.
Padilla said the man was at fault, stating that Filipinos are expected to respect elders, not embarrass them over minor issues such as coughing.
“The attorney is a senior citizen! Our laws require us to care for and respect senior citizens. That Filipino should even be thankful he wasn’t attacked or hurt, because the attorney was already high-blood due to his lack of manners,” he said.
He added: “Respecting and caring for the elderly is part of being Filipino, not calling them out and forcing them to leave just because they coughed.”
Padilla used himself as an example, noting that while Guanzon had criticized him before, he still respects her due to her experience and seniority.
“Attorney Guanzon and I have no political alliance. This is about the law and being Filipino. Don’t act stupid because of politics. The attorney is elderly—show her respect.”
He also cited the Senior Citizens Act (RA 7432) and other laws protecting elders’ rights.
Guanzon earlier confirmed that she has filed complaints of unjust vexation and grave oral defamation against the man involved in the mall incident.
As of now, Guanzon has not commented on Padilla’s defense.
